ODM leader Oburu Odinga held a Nairobi consultative meeting to contain Kakamega divisions as UDA outreach and the Linda Mwananchi faction gain ground.

ODM leader Oburu Odinga addresses party delegates at his home in Bondo, Siaya.. [File, Standard] The ODM leadership has moved to contain growing internal divisions in Kakamega County amid fears of a falling out and pressure from the UDA party.. On Monday, Party Leader Oburu Oginga convened a consultative meeting in Nairobi, bringing together top party officials and leaders from Kakamega in what insiders described as a move to restore unity and strengthen the party’s

grip on one of its traditional strongholds.. The meeting was attended by Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives Wycliffe Oparanya, Governor Fernandes Barasa, MPs Bernard Shinali (Ikolomani), Emmanuel Wangwe (Navakholo), Johnstone Naica (Mumias West), Christopher Aseka (Khwisero) and Lugari legislator Nabii Nabwera.. Woman Rep Elsie Muhanda, among other leaders, was also in attendance.. Party officials included Deputy Party Leader and Kisii Governor Simba Arati and Elections Affairs Director and Suna East MP Junet Mohammed.. Sources familiar with

the meeting said the party leadership directed leaders from the county to end public wrangles and work together in order to strengthen ODM.. Leaders were reportedly urged to hold regular consultative meetings, rebuild trust among supporters and intensify grassroots mobilisation to increase the party’s visibility in the vote-rich county.. The discussions also focused on countering what ODM insiders described as growing attempts by President William Ruto’s UDA to make inroads and the increasing influence of

the Linda Mwananchi faction, a splinter movement associated with dissenting voices within the party.. In a statement posted on X, ODM said the meeting was aimed at reinforcing the party’s unity and influence in Kakamega County.. “The party leader, Oburu Oginga, chaired a meeting that brought together leadership from Kakamega County led by former DPL Wycliffe Oparanya and Governor Fernandes Barasa, who is also the county chairman of the party.. The meeting was aimed at

solidifying the party in Kakamega County and cementing its base as a stronghold of the ODM party,” read the statement.. Governor Barasa said the engagement was part of broader efforts to ensure leaders in the county speak with one voice.. “The engagement forms part of our broader steps to strengthen ODM and advance a more united and focused voice for Kakamega County,” said Barasa.. The meeting comes barely two weeks after Oparanya threatened to lead

a mass exodus from ODM if the party leadership failed to recognise the role played by Western Kenya leaders and residents in building and sustaining the party.. Speaking in Lugari, Oparanya warned that the continued sidelining of Western leaders could trigger a major political shift in the region.. “Those who have received power and leadership after Raila Odinga must respect the people of Western and their leaders, and if they cannot, we are bidding them

bye,” said Oparanya.. The former Kakamega governor argued that Western Kenya had remained loyal to ODM and deserved inclusion in key party decisions, including coalition agreements and power-sharing negotiations.. “We have supported Raila with one heart and that support should not be taken for granted.. Those in ODM leadership should make us understand what our share in ODM is, and if they cannot cater for our interests, then we shall have no option but to

leave the party,” he added.. Oparanya has also criticised the party’s handling of dissenting leaders, particularly the de-whipping of embattled Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, saying the move had complicated efforts by pro-Ruto leaders to mobilise support for the President in the region.. “It has become difficult for those of us who are looking for votes for President Ruto because everywhere you go, people ask why certain leaders were chased away

from the party,” he said.. He described disciplinary actions against dissenting leaders as ill-advised and called for dialogue and reconciliation.. Governor Barasa, however, dismissed Oparanya’s concerns and challenged him to openly align with Sifuna’s camp if he was unwilling to support President Ruto.. “I want to tell Oparanya to stop meddling in Kakamega politics.. As ODM leaders in Kakamega, we support Oburu Oginga and we are firmly behind President Ruto’s 2027 re-election bid,” said Barasa..

The rift between Oparanya and Barasa spearheaded the formation of the G-8 group, bringing together eight of the county’s 12 MPs in support of Muhanda for the governor’s seat.. The faction also saw Nabwera declare himself ODM county chairman despite boycotting the election won by Governor Barasa.. However, the group later weakened amid internal disagreements and accusations that it was being used to undermine Barasa’s administration.. Barasa has accused Oparanya of attempting to micromanage county

affairs.. The growing uncertainty has also fuelled speculation that some area lawmakers were being lured to join UDA.. Sources within ODM claim the MPs had been promised financial support to facilitate their defection, but were reportedly monitoring the evolving political situation before making a final decision.. One MP allied to Oparanya and who was reportedly considering joining UDA admitted that the political environment had become increasingly difficult due to public dissatisfaction over stalled government development

projects and internal ODM disputes.. “The hostility on the ground is growing.. People are unhappy about roads and other promises that have not been fulfilled.. If things continue this way, some of us may be forced to stop campaigning for the President,” said the legislator.. Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi accused President Ruto of attempts to destabilise ODM.. “There is a deliberate attempt to weaken ODM in the region by luring some MPs with promises of

campaign support and government backing,” said Osotsi.. But Deputy Governor Ayub Savula dismissed claims of coercion, insisting that lawmakers were gravitating towards UDA because of development projects initiated by President Ruto in their constituencies.. “There is nothing like a hostile takeover or coercion in politics.. At least 10 ODM lawmakers have shown interest in defending their seats under UDA because of the development they are receiving,” said Savula.

Oburu Odinga, Kakamega ODM, UDA pressure, Linda Mwananchi, Fernandes Barasa, Wycliffe Oparanya